Forging stronger partnerships will drive Lat-Am progress

In the dynamic Latin American reinsurance landscape, partnership and collaboration are emerging as essential themes. 

Emmanuel Jacquemin, head of underwriting for non-life in Southern Europe and Latin America at Arundo Re, and Olivier Collignon, its senior underwriter and actuary specialising in life & health for Latin America, shared how their organisation was addressing the region’s unique needs through innovative strategies and strong relationships.

Jacquemin highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to reinsurance. “We don’t write layers or treaties one by one,” he explained. 

“Instead, we focus on building comprehensive relationships across multiple lines of business, often combining life and non-life reinsurance.”

This approach is underpinned by streamlined internal coordination: Arundo Re simplifies processes for its partners by providing singles points of contact both for life and non-life business. 

“Sometimes one for life and one for non-life, but no more than that," Jacquemin explained. 

"Internally, we handle everything else to make life easier for our clients."

The company’s consistency and reliability are also central to its strategy. “In Latin America, personal connections are vital. 

“We say: ‘Es un negocio de personas,’ meaning it’s a people’s business,” he noted. 

Having experienced underwriters familiar with the region has helped Arundo Re quickly establish and grow relationships.

“We aim to build diversified, balanced partnerships that offer long-term continuity” Emmanuel Jacquemin, Arundo Re 

Meeting regional needs with diversification

Natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, drive much of the reinsurance demand in Latin America, and Jacquemin emphasised how Arundo Re’s approach extended beyond providing catastrophe coverage. 

“We don’t sell standalone cat coverage; we aim to build diversified, balanced partnerships that offer long-term continuity.”

This diversification is reflected in the company’s growth. 

From writing less than $10 million in 2020, Arundo Re now manages nearly $50 million in premiums, working with 50 companies across 16 countries and managing more than 150 non-life treaties.

Collignon believes the collaboration between life and non-life teams is what distinguishes Arundo Re. 

“We are organised through a centralised underwriting platform based in Paris, with appropriate travelling to meet our clients together in person.”

Client interactions also benefit from this integration. 

“We coordinate visits and attend events like Miami Reinsurance Week together,” Jacquemin explained.

“For clients needing life and non-life coordination, we offer a truly unified approach.”

“We prioritise responsiveness and direct communication” Olivier Collignon, Arundo Re

Innovation through expertise

Although Latin America’s reinsurance market is relatively traditional, Arundo Re innovates by leveraging expertise and simplifying processes. 

“All our underwriters sit together with our actuaries, enabling quick decision-making through efficient risk and data analysis,” Jacquemin noted, adding: “They’re empowered to act decisively when needed.”

Tight coordination between life and non-life teams further enhances the client experience. “This alignment strengthens both our underwriting decisions and client relationships,” he said.

Collignon shed light on the unique challenges facing Latin America’s life and health sector, including political instability and changing mortality trends, and explained how Arundo Re was tackling these through advanced tools such as AI, market intelligence and portfolio analysis.

“In 2024, we introduced innovative solutions tailored to specific client needs. 

“We optimised reinsurance programmes and provided detailed portfolio analysis to deliver the best outcomes for our clients,” Collignon said. 

For Jacquemin and Collignon, long-term partnerships are clearly the foundation of Arundo Re’s success. 

“We prioritise responsiveness and direct communication, ensuring clients know exactly who to contact,” Collignon stated.

Jacquemin echoed this sentiment. “We aim to be seen as a partner, not just a provider. 

“By diversifying treaties across life and non-life, we create true partnerships that offer stability and continuity.”

As Arundo Re continues its expansion in Latin America, its commitment to collaboration, innovation and long-term relationships positions it as a standout reinsurer in the region.

“This region is a key area for growth, and we’re here for the long term,” Jacquemin concluded.

Emmanuel Jacquemin is the head of underwriting for non-life in Southern Europe and Latin America at Arundo Re. He can be contacted at ejacquemin@arundore.com.

Olivier Collignon is the senior underwriter and actuary specialising in life & health for Latin America at Arundo Re. He can be contacted at ocollignon@arundore.com.

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